5 reasons why no one wants to work for the New York Mets

An issue with culture

There is no question that the New York Mets need to change their culture. It is something that Steve Cohen had talked about when he took over as the principle owner of the franchise.

But culture issues also follow Cohen. He had been sued by his ex-wife for insider trading and racketeering, charges that were dismissed. However, those insider trading charges were taken up by the SEC against his company, with a settlement in a civil case prohibiting Cohen from managing outside money until 2018.

Those were not the only issues to plague Cohen during his time managing his hedge fund business. He was alleged to have created a sexist culture, using vulgar and abusive language towards female employees. That trickled down through the company, as other male employees would ridicule female employees while commenting on their bodies.

That has to be a giant red flag for any prospective member of the front office. As they would be expected to help change the culture of the organization, one has to wonder how much Cohen himself would keep that change from happening.

The New York Mets already have culture issues. Steve Cohen’s past could also be driving away these candidates as his own previous culture issues come to the forefront.

A death sentence of a job

Let’s face facts – the New York Mets are a dysfunctional organization at best.

Their first attempt at hiring a general manager, Jared Ported, lasted for approximately a month. He was fired when it was revealed that he had sent lewd texts to a female reporter in 2016. The league later placed Porter on the ineligible list through at least the end of the 2022 season, at which point he can apply to be reinstated.

That led to Zack Scott being named as the interim general manager. He lasted until August, when he was arrested for DUI. The Mets placed him on administrative leave, with Sandy Alderson temporarily taking over as the third GM of the calendar year. Scott was later dismissed, leaving the team in need of more help in the front office.

Clearly, the Steve Cohen Regime does not have a great track record in hiring a GM. Given that track record, one can understand why anyone they would have an interest in is running far away. As it currently stands, being named the Mets’ GM is a death sentence to one’s baseball career.

The New York Mets have had an astonishing lack of success in finding a general manager in the past year. It is understandable why any potential candidate is not interested.

New York is a Yankees town

Winning a championship with the New York Mets would be impressive. But would anyone actually notice?

Since their inception, the Mets have been second fiddle to the Yankees. Sure, there have been moments when they have stolen the back page, but those have been few and far between. Even when that happens, the Yankees find their way to the forefront of the city’s baseball consciousness in short order.

It makes sense. The Yankees have a far longer track record of success and a history of greatness. The Mets, meanwhile, have a history of disappointment and top prospects that have not panned out.

That is not going to change any time soon. While the Mets are looking to become a major market team, the Yankees already are. The Yankees also plan on spending this offseason, grabbing headlines and attention away from the Mets. Even if the Mets make those major signings they need, would anyone really pay much attention?

Yes, there would be prestige in winning a championship with the New York Mets. But would anyone in New York even remember that title in a week’s time?

Unknown vermin in the stadium

Maybe, instead of trying to build a front office, the New York Mets should hire an exterminator.

Apparently, there are large, unidentifiable vermin that have run of the Mets’ dugout and clubhouse. Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil had a heated argument about what it was they saw in the tunnel – a rat or a raccoon. The idea that it was a cover story for an altercation between the two that led to Lindor grabbing McNeil by the throat is pure conjecture.

Let’s face it – it’s New York. There may well be rats the size of raccoons in the city. Or maybe it is just one elderly rodent looking for a slice of pizza to feed its four teenaged charges. There is no need for such an uproar.

But no one wants to work in an environment where they may have to fend off rats, raccoons, or other miscellaneous vermin for their food. Likewise, no one wants to run the risk of getting bitten just heading to their office. Maybe, if the Mets could hire an exterminator to take care of their rodent problem, they would have an easier time finding someone for their front office.

Was it a rat or a raccoon? Whatever it was, it may be keeping the New York Mets from finding a general manager.